The New England Patriots kick off a stretch of three straight road games with a primetime matchup against the Buffalo Bills Sunday night.
Coming off a dominant 42-13 victory, a matchup against the reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Super Bowl hopeful Bills will provide a strong measuring stick for Mike Vrabel’s squad that looks to get over .500 for the first time this season.
Follow along with us live down below throughout Sunday night’s contest.
Live score: Patriots 20 : 20 Bills
Sunday, Oct. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET | Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY | Broadcast information | Inactives | Game day roster
Drake Maye and the Patriots offense led things off Sunday night and started by getting Stefon Diggs involved back in Buffalo with a 15-yard catch-and-run off a play-action bootleg. Facing a third-and-7 following a run stuff, Maye could not find a receiver and took a sack leading to a punt.
Buffalo overcame a first-down holding penalty — drawn by Christian Barmore — to move the chains and get their offense on the move behind a pair of completions to Dalton Kincaid. After a 20-plus yard gain through the air, a failed handoff resulted in a fumble which Joshua Farmer recovered.
Taking over at the Buffalo 47-yard line, the Patriots gave the ball right back as Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled after a check-down from Maye.
Back with the ball, a 20-yard flea flicker quickly moved the Bills into New England territory. However, another Buffalo penalty and strong third-down pass breakup by Marcus Jones downfield led to a punt.
With Antonio Gibson in the backfield after Stevenson’s fumble, the back picked up an initial first-down on two straight carries. After converting a third-down behind a strong effort by Kayshon Boutte, the following third-down saw a ball dropped by Diggs leading to a punt.
Backed up near their goal line another football found the turf as Robert Spillane punched a fumble loss on Keon Coleman, which the Patriots were able to recover.
Taking over inside the red zone New England was quickly set up in third-and-long, where Maye’s pass was incomplete. Andy Borregales’ 30-yard field goal was then good. [Patriots 3 : 0 Bills]
A pair of chunk gains to Kincaid and Joshua Palmer got Buffalo’s offense outside the red zone before James Cook moved the unit to the 10-yard line. The Patriots defense then held strong forcing a field goal. [Patriots 3 : 3 Bills]
Another fumble on the opening kickoff was recovered by the Patriots to maintain possession where two straight completions to Stefon Diggs picked up 18 total yards. Facing third-and-8 after a sack, Maye’s pass sailed incomplete leading to another punt.
Josh Allen’s legs became a factor on Buffalo’s next drive until he could not escape Milton Williams and Jaylinn Hawkins blitzing on third-down for a sack.
With 2:22 left in the half, a 13-yard run by TreVeyon Henderson took things to the two-minute warning. New England then overcame an offensive facemark penalty with a 22-yard completion over the middle to Hunter Henry before two runs (one scramble) to set up the offense inside the red zone. On third-and-goal from the 12, Maye’s pass to Diggs drew a pass interference in the end zone. With four seconds remaining at the one a pass to Henry was incomplete leading to a field goal with one second remaining. [Patriots 6 : 3 Bills]
Buffalo started the second half with the football and the offense got to work with Allen finding Kincaid again over the middle for a 20-yard gain. Methodically working into the red zone, Allen hit Curtis Samuel off motion for a six-yard touchdown. [Patriots 6 : 10 Bills]
Trailing for the first time Sunday night, Maye opened the drive by finding a sliding Stefon Diggs downfield for 16 yards before getting 16 more to Kayshon Boutte. Three plays later Maye bought time to his right while Diggs adjusted on a scramble drill for a pretty 32-yard completion to set up a goal-to-go situation — where Rhamondre Stevenson needed just one play to punch in a four-yard score. [Patriots 13 : 10 Bills]
The Bills started their response drive with a 18-yard catch-and-run by Shakir in which an additional 15 yards was added due to an unnecessary roughness penalty on Brenden Schooler. Over midfield on third-and-5, Allen found Kincaid yet again to move into the red zone. New England’s defense than struck again as Marcus Jones under-cut a route for an interception.
Taking over at their own 10-yard line, Maye bought time again to his right before hitting Diggs to pick up an opening first-down. The duo then connected again on the following third-down to take Diggs over 100 yards for the second straight game. A 24-yard completion to Hunter Henry then pushed New England into Buffalo territory where Maye hit Diggs again who took it 30 yards on the run. Two plays later, Stevenson found the end zone from seven yards out to extend the lead. [Patriots 20 : 10 Bills]
Trailing by two scores, Allen went back to Kincaid for a 23-yard gain on Buffalo’s first play from scrimmage. A roughing the passer penalty then had Buffalo quickly over midfield where a late hit on Joshua Farmer gave the Bills another 15 yards. Inside the five-yard line, Allen hit Keon Coleman in the back of the end zone to cut into the Patriots’ lead. [Patriots 20 : 17 Bills]
Facing a third-and-five after a false start on Vederian Lowe, Maye could not find an open receiver or escape to the edge and New England was forced to punt.
In a one score game, penalties continued to hurt New England as a defensive pass interference call on Jack Gibbens netted Buffalo 19 yards. Facing third-down near midfield, Coleman went up-and-over Carlton Davis to pick up 13 yards. Buffalo then faced a third-and-10 where Allen bought time but his pass to Shakir fell incomplete with Christian Gonzalez making a play on the ball. Matt Prater’s field goal was good to tie the game. [Patriots 20 : 20 Bills]
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